Training Package To Get Overseas Trained Doctors

"After considerable
discussion and work, we have now moved to deal with the
issues related to the group of overseas trained doctors who
gained permanent residence in New Zealand but were unable to
practice because they did not meet New Zealand Medical
Council registration requirements", the Health Minister
announced this afternoon.

"This structure and amount of
the training required to gain the New Zealand recognised
qualifications has now been determined. Provided they
complete this training, they will be able to get jobs as
doctors".

"We have been concerned that there are
gaps in such areas as rural practise for example while there
is a pool of people who with some training could have the
skills and competence to fill the jobs. These skills are
wasted. We've got anecdotal reports of them driving taxis,
or sitting on social welfare benefits. We do not want that
to continue.

"Many of these doctors immigrated to New
Zealand only to discover when they arrived that they did not
meet New Zealand registration requirements".

"The
issues involved have been complex and difficult to resolve.
We have been working with key groups in the health sector,
including the Schools of Medicine, to get the right
solutions".

While we do not want anyone practicing as a
doctor in New Zealand who does not have the knowledge and
competence to do the job, we do not want anyone held back
who with a relatively minor level of additional training
could practice medicine".

"We have initiated this
programme so that over three years members of this group of
overseas trained doctors can be properly qualified so they
can help fill vacancies in rural or other areas where there
are shortages and do the jobs they were trained for in their
home nations".

"We estimate there are about 200 overseas
trained doctors who have gained permanent residency who
can't practise in New Zealand".

"The Overseas Doctors
Association, the Medical Council, the Medical Schools and
the Hospital and Health Services have been working with us
to develop a training package that will lift the doctors
skills and qualifications so they can do their job
here."

The training package will:

· help those who have
already passed NZ Medical Council exams to obtain supervised
positions to complete probationary registration· help
those who have not passed the NZ Medical Council exams to
either pass them, or alternatively complete a special
programme based on the New Zealand medical degree
exams.

"There will be 'strings attached' to this training
package. The overseas doctors have agreed that once that
once they are registered they will be available to work in
areas of New Zealand where we need more doctors.

"This is
a win-win for overseas doctors, the health profession and
New Zealanders. We will make certain that the overseas
trained doctors skills aren't wasted, and ensure New
Zealanders don't miss out on health care," Mr Creech
said.

"The cost of the programme has been factored into
the health budget over the next three years. If all the
training opportunities offered under the programme were
takenup the cost of setting up the training programmes for
next year is $4.9 million", the Minister said.

Details of Package

A three part package has been
agreed by the Medical Council to help overseas trained
doctors to gain registration to practise in New
Zealand.

The package will be available only to those
Overseas Trained Doctors who gained permanent residence in
New Zealand under pre October 1995 immigration criteria and
who agree to work in areas where there are shortages of
medical practitioners.

1. Those who have not yet passed
the Medical Council's examinations.

They would be
offered:· a short course of a few weeks' duration aimed
at preparing them for an examination run by the Schools of
Medicine. · a special examination based on Years 3 and
5 NZ Medical School examinations as an alternative to United
States Medical Licensing Exam. Those who passed this
examination would gain entry to a special clinical training
programme (6-12 months) similar to a trainee intern year.
The course would be developed by the Medical Schools in
consultation with the New Zealand Overseas Doctors
Association and the Hospital and Health Services. ·
Those who successfully completed that course would then be
eligible to sit NZRex Clinical.

2. Those who have passed
United States Medical Licensing Examination

They would be
offered the option of accessing the special training
programme (as for 1 above). However, successful completion
of this special training programme would not be a
prerequesite for them to sit NZREX Clinical.

3. Those
who have passed the Medical Council's examinations but are
unable to obtain positions.

They would be
offered:· a three month orientation course·
additional post entry training positions through the
Clinical Training Agency.

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